An unnamed White House journalist was turned away from Saturday’s daily coronavirus task force briefing after testing positive for a fever. New measures designed to add an extra layer of protection around the President and Vice President went into effect and they’re working already.
Reporter excluded from White House briefing
On Saturday, the White House ramped up efforts to protect the administration’s top leaders by starting a new policy of temperature monitoring press members before they enter the briefing room.
As reporters arrived for a daily report from Vice President Mike Pence, one of the staff from the White House physician’s office was on hand to take temperature readings. One journalist was turned away when his 100.4 degree result indicated potential infection.
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president,” spokesman Judd Deere explains. Anyone who will be “in close proximity” with either the President or Vice President will be tested.
President Trump took the virus test
The President assures everyone that he feels just fine and the test is only a precaution. His temperature is “totally normal.” However, because of heightened public interest, President Trump announced he was tested for the virus after multiple potential recent exposures. The results should be back in a day or two.
The President “has now had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus, including three people he spent time with last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida,” WGBH reports.
President Trump still has a hard time breaking the habit of shaking hands. Because of his age, he’s considered at heightened risk if he should contract the illness. “It almost becomes a habit,” the President admitted at the briefing. “People come up to me, they shake hands, they put their hand out, it’s sort of a natural reflex. We’re all getting out of it. All of us have that problem. Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing right now, I agree.”
More relief money and extended travel restrictions
President Trump updated the public about the administration’s efforts against the illness, including the bipartisan funding package “that will provide strong support for American families and communities in dealing with the coronavirus.” He was glad to see both parties cooperating for a change. Vice President Pence confirmed the package will include “free testing for uninsured Americans.”
Another new development is that the travel ban will now be unfortunately extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland. “This will go into effect on Monday at midnight,” Pence noted, but “legal American residents will be able to come home.”
